Description

Application

Ganciclovir is used in molecular biology for selection against random recombination events when homologous recombination of a gene of interest is required.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Ganciclovir is a pro-drug nucleoside analog that is activated by phosphorylation. It is useful in the study of gene therapy in cancer research.Upon expression of a viral suicide gene encoding thymidine kinase, the non-toxic pro-drug is converted to a phosphorylated active analog and is incorporated into the DNA of replicating eukaryotic cells, causing death of the malignant dividing cell.1 The cell cycle is irreversibly arrested at the G2-M checkpoint.2 Gap junction involvement in the ganciclovir bystander effect has been studied.3 Ganciclovir has been used to study loss of telomeres4 and to evaluate sensitivity of viruses to antiviral treatments.5

Features and Benefits

This compound is also offered as part of Sigma′s Library of Pharmacologically Active Compounds (LOPAC®,1280), a biologically annotated collection of high-quality, ready-to-screen compounds. Click here to learn more.

This compound was developed by Roche. To browse the list of other pharma-developed compounds and Approved Drugs/Drug Candidates, click here.